The transformation that stole over her face was stunning to watch. From playful to lost in a split second. Her lashes kissed her cheeks as she raised her body to meet the driving force that challenged me to please her in a way other men had only fantasized about.
She was mine. Every time I took her like this, I was wiping away more of the bad memories, replacing them with the perfect ones that would be burned into her memory for the rest of her days. Because they’d be the memories she made with me. Her husband. The father of her children. The man who would love her until she drew her last breath and I drew mine.
I linked our hands, stretching them over her head as I unleashed, releasing the fear of losing her. The recriminations over the mistakes I’d made. The anger over seeing her kiss someone else. The ache in my chest that had been there since she left.
I poured it all out. Grunting through the anger. Thrusting like a wild man through the fear. Swearing through the pain. Kissing her through the regret. This wasn’t just sex. It was a soul-deep cleansing.
When she finally fell apart in my arms, I forced myself to slow down and hold her, giving my poor heart a chance to synchronize with hers.
But my woman had other ideas. She kissed my neck as her legs closed around my waist, drawing me deeper. Her words were dirty, her kisses were intoxicating, and her body was setting me on fire as she took over before I realized what the hell was happening.
Before I could regain control, I was spilling into her, trying to catch my breath as she claimed my moans in her mouth before telling me how much she loved me.
Damn.
Didn’t get much better than that.
I rolled over on my back, drawing her into my arms. “I’m addicted to you,” I said, kissing her temple. “You know that, right?”
She laughed, patting my stomach. “You won’t hear me complaining. Besides, there was worst things you could be addicted to.”
“Hmm, but nothing better.”
Charli tipped her head back, looking me in the eye. “Tonight went a long way. I’m really starting to believe this could work.”
“It will, baby. No doubt about it.” I told her I’d only ask for one night at a time. But I lied. I wanted every night from now on and I was going to get it. “I’ve got that TV interview in the morning.”
“Oh, that’s right. I saw that in your schedule. You need me to do anything to help you prepare?”
“You could come and watch.” I tipped her chin with my index finger. “I could use the moral support.” I’d been on a hundred TV shows over the years, but having Charli with me would make this the most memorable one.
“Of course.” She kissed my chest. “Anything you need.”
I held her tighter, closing my eyes as I imagined all of the things I wanted to say to her. “I’ve got a quick pit stop before I go to the studio in the morning, babe. Would you mind meeting me there? You can take the Caddy.”
“Sure, no problem.” She rolled over, tucking into me. “That’ll give me a chance to sleep in a bit.”
I hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep since she left, but with her curled up in my arms, I couldn’t fight it if I tried.
* * *
The perky blonde TV host had asked about my new single, my award nomination and a collaboration on my upcoming album before she finally got around to the question I’d been waiting for.
“Dade.” She reached over, touching my leg like we were old friends, even though I’d never met her before. “You know there are always rumors circulating about your love life. But the latest ones are particularly juicy. You and Knox’s sister-in-law! Is that true?”
My eyes drifted to the front row, where Charli was sitting wide-eyed, biting her lip.
“It is.” I crooked my finger, beckoning to the woman who put all the others to shame, especially when her cheeks flamed and she shook her head. “Charli, come on up here a minute. I want the world to see why I fell in love with you.”
Her jaw dropped before she covered her mouth with her hands.
When I went public with our relationship, I had no intention of half-assing it with a statement through my publicist. I was going all in.
“Yeah!” The host squealed, knowing she was getting an exclusive most reporters would kill for. “Come on up here, Charli. Take a seat beside your man.”
Charli knew she didn’t have a choice when the audience roared with applause and whistles, urging her on.
I stood to hug her, dropping a quick kiss on her lips before the host embraced her.
